Flay's Spicy Pantry Essentials

[Food Network Fan]

Flay's Spicy Pantry Essentials
CBS News - Jan 10 6:00 AMThe celebrity chef suggested spices and other ingredients you should absolutely keep in your kitchen, on The Early Show . And, in a Web extra , he offers a recipe for a delicious dish using three of the items.

Pure Chile Powder
Kosher Salt
Spanish Paprika
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Cinnamon
Whole Nutmeg
Ground Ginger
Cloves
Honey
Canola Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red or White Wine Vinegar
Balsamic or Sherry Vinegar
Rice Vinegar
Onions
Garlic
Dijon Mustard -- Whole Grain
Chicken Stock
Vegetable Stock

BAKING ESSENTIALS:

1 lb flour
1 lb granulated sugar
1 lb light brown sugar
vanilla extract
1 lb cornstarch
baking powder
baking soda

[Food Network Fan]

I have everything but the Mustard and rice vinegar.

[MayQueen]

That's a nice list but a waste of money if someone doesn't cook much. Those things go bad. Last month I made chili. I pulled out my tin of hot paprika and sprinkled some in. I thought it looked as though it was a bit clumpy but didn't worry about it. The next time I lifted the lid, I saw small, round bits of spice that had come to the top of the chili. Still didn't think anything bad. Just before serving it, I looked closely and noticed wings, tiny wings. My paprika had been buggy. I didn't even know paprika could get buggy. My new rule is to inspect all spices in my hand before throwing them in the pot.

[Food Network Fan]

Wow I didn't know that either. Thanks for the warning. I will be sure to check mine.

[BerryBaby]

Have everything on the list as well and then some! But, I cook quite a bit.

Yes, it is good to check everything before adding it to the pot. Those little critters can get into everything...but, hey, they are protein!

[radiodugger]

Big problem in Florida. Also, I am very careful about buying BOXED pasta. I only buy in sealed plastic (DaVinci), after finding little creatures in my boxed pasta.

Reminds me...a week ago or so, I chomped on something I thought was a black bean in some chip dip, and it turns out it was a BUG! Some sort of beetle, and it tasted like burnt wood with a bite to it. I'm glad you-all didn't see the aftermath...a real retch-fest.

Radio Doug

[Food Network Fan]

Ewwww that's horrible. I would be checking everything too if I were you. I have had some little flour bugs a few times but other than that I don't think I have had any incidents I was aware of. That's where I want to stay unaware if I have already eaten it.

We have had to stay in a roach motel right before my husband left for Iraq because it was all that was close by the rural small facility where they were being processed. They had a restaurant and we ate there that evening because my husband had to take the car on post. I went back to the room and picked up a bag one of the kids had and a roach crawled out from under it. All I could think about was that place we ate was attached to that. We left as soon as my husband got back and I didn't even ask for our money back, I just got out of there.

[radiodugger]

I think Alton Brown has the best way to store Flay's Spicy Pantry Essentials...ever seen those little tins he velcro-sticks to the inside of his pantry door? That appears to be the best...no critters can get inside, and, he DATES the inside of the lids, so he can tell when to replace...

Alton is BRILLIANT!

Doug

[BerryBaby]

We stayed at a horrible motel once in Seattle. There wasn't anything else available. There were burned impressions of a iron on the carpet, the sink was so stained, it sickened me.

I layed my shaw on the bed and pillow and cried myself to sleep. It was SO icky! Good thing we only had to spend one night but there was nothing else available.

In the morning my husband wanted to go down for their 'complimentary' breakfast. I had coffee...that was it.

[BerryBaby]

I even write the dates on the cracker boxes just so I know how long they have been in the cabinet. Didn't see that on Alton's show, I just do anal stuff like that.